**Quick note: if you haven’t heard about the Lisa Leonard Designs $75 giveaway (or haven’t seen the button on the sidebar), go check it out! Some great stuff just waiting to be won!
***Also…if you want to see my “cheat” outfits for this week, here ya go!
Okay, I didn’t mean for today’s post title to rhyme, but who am I to tamper with happy rhyming accidents? I’m leaving it! : )
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to the super-sweet and stylish Miss Nina of Momma Go Round. I’ve enjoyed following her blog since I first stumbled across her Real Momma, Real Style segment several months ago (in fact, she was the first person to ever feature me; that was a fun day!), and I’m so excited that she’s here to share her tips for pushing style boundaries and overcoming fashion fears.
You’re on, Nina!
Hi, Five days…5 ways readers! I’m Nina and I run a little style blog called Momma Go Round.
I’m so excited that Abbie asked me to come share some ideas with you about how to expand your fashion boundaries. This is something that was very difficult for me and is still something I’m constantly working on.
It all started about year ago when I simply got sick of being stuck in a fashion rut. The “mommy uniform” of jeans and a nastified tee just wasn’t doing it for me. I didn’t fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes, hadn’t bought myself much since (my son was 20 months old at the time), and simply needed to kick myself into gear. While I’m certainly no expert on fashion, here are a few things that I’ve learned along the way that have helped me branch out my wardrobe.
Start Simple
A hat, a belt, headband, heels, whatever it maybe, pick one thing and start there. You do not have to go from jeans and a tee to Kate Middleton overnight. Just pick that thing that’s been sitting in the back of your closet, or one accessory that you’ve been too afraid to try, and go for it!
For me, it began with a pink hat. I know, I know, I can hear your “oohs” and “aahs” from here. But for me, it was a BIG step. I actually thought about what I was going to wear that day. It was more than just whatever pair of jeans and Target tee were clean.
Buy/Thrift/Swap for One Thing that SCARES You!
Belts. Skinny, wide, elastic, ribbon…whatever. I was always afraid that they would define me like the equator divides a globe. When I finally got up the nerve to get this skinny little black one, it was probably the most “out there” thing I’d bought since my purple wide leg cords in middle school.
It doesn’t matter what it is, if it scares you, it counts. Just don’t make a major investment in it in case you really do hate it. But please, let your friends and family weigh in before you are too hard on yourself.
Experiment With What Ya Got
Dress I swore I would never wear again…check. Meh cardigan…check. Bright belt…check. On their own, nothing amazing. But together they make one of my favorite outfits! Your closet is probably full of outfits just waiting to be found. This part definitely takes time and probably a bedroom that looks like the closet threw up, but it is the most rewarding. When you find an outfit you love that you never knew you had, it’s pretty awesome.
Fill In The Gaps
As you spend more time in your closet, be on the lookout for what might be missing. A basic blazer, pencil skirt, great fitting jeans, a denim shirt, or a cargo vest. A gap can be anything, just make sure it works with what you have to make new outfits come to life.
Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
NOT EVERY OUTFIT WILL BE A WINNER! So what? It’s just clothes. You get to try again tomorrow! Just take note of what didn’t work and why, and try again.
The most important thing I’ve learned is to just go for it. Fashion is supposed to be fun, not stressed over!
I hope my little ideas got your wheels turning on how to expand your fashion boundaries.
For more ideas, inspiration, diy projects, and daily fashion, join me at Momma Go Round.
Thanks for having me, Abbie!
You are welcome any time, Nina! Thank you for sharing such great tips. I especially love your reminder that if you bomb, it’s just clothes, and you can just pick yourself right back up again and have some more fun with it!
What about you, folks? Do you have any tricks you pull out of your style bag when you find yourself in a fashion rut?
What a great post! It really is so easy to get stuck in those ruts. I love all your cute outfits, Nina! Abbie, I’m new to your blog and really enjoying it- this was a great guest post. Thanks!
Great post! Sometimes I get stuck in a fashion rut as well…this will definitely be helpful when those times come!
Thank you so much Abbie and Nina! I love that fall is coming and usually am in love with my wardrobe, but this year has been a challenge so far. It’s time to shop my closet and stop wearing the same-old, same-old.